Reporter sues Chinese government over media controls

A Chinese reporter has taken the remarkable step of suing the government for closing her newspaper for three months, arguing that the state does not have the right to suspend publications.

The authorities closed the China Business Post after Cui Fan wrote an article alleging forgery by one of the country's largest banks.

But Cui, 31, has fought back by demanding the reopening of her newspaper, an apology, compensation and legal fees, in a case which demonstrates the growing confidence of journalists.

Observers believe her lawsuit has a slim chance of success but see it as an important attempt to challenge the strict controls on the media.

"I brought the lawsuit because what happened is unfair both to me and my colleagues," Cui told the Associated Press news agency. The Guardian was unable to reach her by telephone.

The Bureau of Press and Publications in Inner Mongolia - where the paper is registered - ordered its closure on September 8. But Cui's lawyer, Zhou Ze, told AP that the move was illegal.

"This goes to show that people in the media are increasingly intolerant of management of press and publications that does not follow the existing laws," he wrote in an email.

The lawsuit, filed in the Inner Mongolian capital of Hohhot last week, is the first against the government for interfering in the media, he said.

Zhou argued that under the press regulations, the government can legally stop distribution of a particular issue of a newspaper but that authority does not extend to suspending a publication for three months.

"We never thought about winning this case, we know perfectly well about the current legal environment," he said. "We just want to express our stance that we can't tolerate illegal, inappropriate management on present publications."

An official at the Hohhot court said the case would probably be rejected. "Right now, it is roughly decided that the case will not be placed on file," she told AP.

China Business Post sells about 400,000 copies nationwide. Media freedom campaign group Reporters Without Borders said that the closure had left at least 70 employees without work.

"The likelihood that the case will succeed is very small, but they are doing the right thing," said Li Datong, a commentator who was ousted as editor of the influential publication Freezing Point for his progressive views.

He added: "The decision made by Inner Mongolia is not in accordance with the regulations of the constitution. Also they did not verify the facts of the case - whether the report was true or not."

Cui's report alleged that a branch of the Agricultural Bank of China had committed forgery in disposing of 4.6bn yuan (£418m) of bad assets.

The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the decision to ban the Post, arguing that the bank refused to answer Cui's requests for a response to the allegations.

According to the IFJ, the newspaper was told that it had violated a regulation requiring journalists to request a response from officials accused of wrongdoing.

The IFJ added: "It sends the message that any person or group who is accused of malfeasance can simply refuse to comment thereby making any media who print the story subject to penalties or punishment."

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